SWINDON’S sonneteers have unveiled the itinerary for the biggest poetry festival in the UK.

Bards gathered at Swindon Central Library at lunchtime on Thursday to share their 11-day programme with members of the public.

The event, which runs from September 29 to October 9, is the town’s fifth poetry festival and is predicted to be the biggest yet.

Hilda Sheehan, director of the festival, said: “Everyone’s really excited about it this year.

“Last year it was very successful. We had people coming from as far away as Edinburgh and France, and they’re all coming back again this time – which is great.”

The festival, increased from five days last year to 11 this year due to its success, will be split into two parts – the Community Festival from September 29 and the Big Poetry Weekend from October 6.

It is organised by Poetry Swindon, a local association of poets, in partnership with the Swindon Literary Festival.

Hilda said: “We plan to get really involved in the community, and because last year was quite overwhelming, this time we decided to spread it out and make it a festival in two parts.

“It’s all about bringing culture to Swindon and getting more people interested in poetry.

Speaking of her own passion for the craft, Hilda said: “It just seemed to roar out of me. It’s a great way to express ideas and feelings in a concise and playful way, and it can be very powerful.”

Maurice Spillane, chair of Poetry Swindon, said: “I’m very excited about the festival. It is one of the biggest in the UK and has gown a lot over the past few years.

“Poetry is a massive part of our culture and it’s hugely important.”

Mayor Eric Shaw, who attended the launch said: “I’m of the generation of people who were brought up on poetry from an early age and the first poem I ever learnt was Daffodils by William Wordsworth.”

“I have a poetry book by my bedside and after reading papers on council agendas all day, I relax with some poetry before going to sleep.”

Activities on offer throughout include open mic readings, workshops and Q&A sessions.

For more information log on to www.poetryswindon.org